Job Discussion Forums

[robashby1]

Hi all
I'm looking to teach in Moscow from Summer 08. I've got a couple of years' teaching experience, plus CELTA (actually taken in BKC Moscow) and my degree is in English Language. Although I'm not the most experienced I like to think I'm not a complete newbie! I speak fairly good Russian, so I'm not too worried about surviving there. I've checked on a few sites, and it seems that a fairly reasonable par would be about $1000 plus accommodation, or $2000 without accommodation - would you agree that's right? How much would accommodation cost for a shared room or equivalent? From my experiences in Russia it seems that there are a fair few cowboy schools kicking around, so it's definitely best to have a job before arrival, along with all visa problems - is that the case? What are the chances of fixing up a relatively well paid job on the hoof? How many of the schools actually advertise on tefl.com and here?
I realise these are fairly vague questions, so I'd much appreciate any advice from people with similar experiences.
Cheers, Rob.

[jonniboy]

Even with accommo thrown in, 1000 dollars isn't going to go very far in Moscow, one of the most expensive cities in Europe. Also Summer 2008 is a very bad time to try and set up anywhere in Europe as the locals prefer to spend time on the beach rather than in English class. This especially applies to the colder Northern countries where people want to take advantage of the relatively short periods of good weather. Early-mid September is the best time to arrive. You could get a place on a Summer camp of course but the wages would be less than what you could save up by doing a non-teaching job prior to going.

[robashby1]

Thanks for your reply.
I meant end of Summer, so September time, which seems to be when most of the contract work starts. I'm looking to work for about a year, so I've been looking at some of the big language schools (eg language link and bkc), but I'm just trying to find out what kind of experiences other people have had with them. I agree $1000/month isn't great, but I think even in Moscow it would more than cover living expenses (accommo thrown in, that is), right?
Thanks for any replies
Rob

[blackcorsair]

A thousand bucks in Moscow goes a heck of a lot further than five hundred quid in London. As long as you live a devout Christian life and don't go out whoring, picking up inebriate provincial ladies, boozing and blowing your dough in the casinoes you'll be golden. But if you weren't planning to indulge in the latter why would you bother coming to this Slavic Babylon in any case?

[maruss]

I have posted many times on this site after having personal experience of working in Moscow quite recently and got varied re-actions, from supportive to downright abusive!
But it is an expensive city and very stressful to live in due to overcrowding,pollution,etc etc and especially as you are planning to go when the weather will be deteriorating,it is hardly practical to fill in any leisure time you have with free pursuits such as exploring the parks etc because you are short of cash for more enjoyable things which cost money!
With your knowledge and experience,you could easily negotiate freelance work on a hourly paid basis from $20 per academic hour and upwards as well as any private students you gradually pick-up yourself.Why work on a monthly salaried contract for $1000 per month anywhere and any time you are told to in return for a room in some crummy shared appartment and have no privacy at home as a result either?
Try to negotiate at least a visa invitation and refund of visa fee and maybe even a flight refund at the end but don't surrender your fredom for peanuts or you will end up regretting it!
You have plenty of time in front of you so do yopur homework before you go.
Let me know if you need any other advice.